BrushUp Newsletter: Summer 2011

Go green and grin big: how to help the planet while caring for your mouth

Going green might not be the first thing you think of while brushing your teeth. But with the help of new technology and a few helpful tips, you can keep your smile bright while saving the world.

Turn off the tap Studies have shown that one person wastes an average of 90 glasses of water every day by leaving the tap running while they brush their teeth. Wet your toothbrush, put on the paste and go to town. You can even rinse from a cup to cut back even further.

Digital X-rays With 70-90% less radiation than a normal x-ray it's better for you. Since going digital uses no chemical developers, it's better for the environment.

Use greener tooth care products Choose a toothpaste that's free from lauryl sulfate. Find a mouth rinse that's alcohol free. Some chemicals found in both can upset the pH balance in your mouth which can lead to canker sores.

Help your dentist conserve If you're looking for a dentist, find one that uses eco-friendly practices. If your dentist is great, but you're not a fan of the paper waste, suggest to them ways they can clean up their act. For an eco-friendly dentist, or to find suggestions on how your dentist can go greener, visit ecodentistry.org.

Bag the paper and plastic bibs Ask for cloth! Reusable cloth products save 5000 pieces of paper and 5000 pieces of plastic from being used in a dental practice in one year.

Your dentist has a genuine interest in keeping you and your mouth healthy. We all have a genuine interest in keeping the earth healthy, too. To find out more ways you and dentistry can help the planet and the people living on it, visit ecodentistry.org for questions you can ask your dentist. Together, you and your dentist can keep things bright with every visit.

Medical Plans

Humana group medical plans are offered by Humana Medical Plan, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00235-0008, Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corporation, or Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc., or insured by Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, or Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00187-0009, or administered by Humana Insurance Company or Humana Health Plan, Inc. For Arizona residents, plans are offered by Humana Health Plan, Inc. or insured by Humana Insurance Company. Administered by Humana Insurance Company.

Go365^® is not an insurance product. Not available with all Humana health plans.

Dental Plans

Humana individual dental plans are insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, The Dental Concern, Inc., CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits). Discount plans are offered by HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company, or Texas Dental Plans, Inc. For Arizona residents: Insured by Humana Insurance Company. For Texas residents: Insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

Humana group dental plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, The Dental Concern, Inc., Humana Medical Plan of Utah, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

Vision Plans

Humana individual vision plans insured by Humana Insurance Company, The Dental Concern, Inc., Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. For Arizona residents: Insured by Humana Insurance Company. For Texas residents: Insured by Humana Insurance Company.

Humana group vision plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, Humana Insurance Company of New York, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, or The Dental Concern, Inc.

Life Insurance Plans

Humana group life plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, or Kanawha Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability and Short Term Disability

Humana long term disability and short term disability plans are offered by Kanawha Insurance Company or Humana Insurance Company.

Workplace Voluntary Benefits

Humana Cancer, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Life and Disability Income plans are insured by Humana Insurance Company, Kanawha Insurance Company, or Humana Insurance Company of New York.

View a complete list of the legal entities that offer, underwrite, administer or insure insurance products and services.

Limitations and exclusions

Our health benefit plans, dental plans, vision plans, life and supplemental plans, workplace voluntary benefit products, long term disability plans, and short term disability plans have exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. Our dental plans, vision plans, life and supplemental plans, workplace voluntary benefit products, long term disability plans, and short term disability plans may also have waiting periods. For costs and complete details of coverage, call or write Humana or your Humana insurance agent or broker.

Individual applications are subject to eligibility requirements.

Before applying for group coverage, please refer to the pre-enrollment disclosures for a description of plan provisions which may exclude, limit, reduce, modify or terminate your coverage. View plan provisions or check with your sales representative.

For group plans, please refer to your Benefit Plan Document (Certificate of Coverage/Insurance or Summary Plan Description) for more information on the company providing your benefits.

Statements in languages other than English contained in the advertisement do not necessarily reflect the exact contents of the policy written in English, because of possible linguistic differences. In the event of a dispute, the policy as written in English is considered the controlling authority.

Turning your teeth green - oral care that's good for the environment

Go green and grin big: how to help the planet while caring for your mouth

Locate the forms you need

Smile, you've got options

Does good dental hygiene affect more than your teeth?